The T.O.P.

The Capricious Child: ‘acting on impulse’

Youth today are being pulled every which way, whether it is from peer pressure, societal pressure, or even parent pressure. Often, for them to do the ‘right thing’, it can mean going against the flow of the mainstream, and for many of them, this is a near impossibility.

Demonstrating self-harming behaviors, such as cutting? (Note that we will not work with youth who have attempted suicide or have suicidal tendencies, except in unique circumstances)

Showing antisocial behavior at home and/or at school?

Exhibiting defiant, apathetic, and/or disturbing behavior at home?

If you said yes to one or more of these, then The T.O.P. or The T.O.P. Flex may be beneficial to you.

Difference between The T.O.P. and The T.O.P. Flex

The T.O.P.:The T.O.P. is a day program in Nashville, TN. If you live within a 45 mile radius of Nashville and have a ‘capricious’ child, The T.O.P. may be for you. For complete information on The T.O.P., continue reading below.

The T.O.P. Flex:The T.O.P. Flexhas elements of a residential program without the youth needing to go away for long periods of time. If you live outside of Nashville, TNand have a ‘capricious’ child, The T.O.P. Flex may be for you. For complete information on The T.O.P. Flex, please read about The T.O.P.FIRST then click here for The T.O.P. Flex.

What is The T.O.P.?

The T.O.P. (Therapeutic Outreach Program) is a 6 month/5 days/week program that encourages more effective choices for the youth involved. The T.O.P. is designed to come alongside the family and youth for ultimate encouragement and success.

The T.O.P. begins with:

Family Blueprint:A Family Blueprint is a plan for change in the family. 4Families works with the youth and family to develop Goals, Objectives and Action Plans, identifying specific concerns that need to be addressed and how they will be addressed. For more details on a Family Blueprint, click here.

Family Consultation: 4Families works with the youth and family on a regular basis, through weekly or bi-weekly meetings and at-home support, specifically in the evening and on weekends or on an as needed basis. For more information on Family Consultation, click here.

Family Coaching: Sometimes a child and the family may need coaching within the home to help all move in a more healthy direction. Family Coaching is ‘coming alongside’ a family and prodding and encouraging along the way. Family Coaching is only used when it is the desire of the family and it seems to be the best option for maximum results. For more information on Family Coaching, click here.

Family Support: 4Families is available at any time, through texts, e-mails, phone calls and personal visits, to encourage and support the youth and family.

A Typical Day

The goal of The T.O.P. is to provide a structured/supportive environment for the youth involved. For at least 6 months, the youth are involved in our C.A.T.E.S. Academy, thus giving us the ability to work with the youth through challenges and on goals that may help them move towards complete restoration.

In addition, we help them find discipline and passion through our C.A.T.E.S. after-School program. Our goal for both of these daily programs is to:

Give them a structure of support and expectation that will help them grow -and-

Give them an atmosphere that eliminates the peer and other negative influences that may be tripping them up.

Four Stages

During The T.O.P, there are four stages. Each stage progresses towards student growth and maturity in the family unit and teaches the parents how to continue to encourage their youth’s success.

For all stages, there is an average length of time with a window of opportunity. A student can reach the next stage in a shorter period of time if s/he is focused. The four stages are:

Stage

Name

Length

Window

1

Learner

300 Points

2 Months (The T.O.P. & At Home)

2

Livewire

250 Points

1 Month (The T.O.P. & At Home)

3

Levitator

250 Points

1 Month (The T.O.P. & At Home)

4

Leader

150 Points

2 Months (At Home)

Learner: The word ‘learn’ means to acquire knowledge or skill. This stage is key to finding out whether youth want to learn or not.

Interview: Not every youth is admitted into The T.O.P. We are looking for youth and families who are willing to do the work towards healing. Once you have filled out an application, your youth and family will go through a series of 3 interviews. These interviews include:

Interview with Parent or Parents

Interview with child

Interview with Parent(s) and child

Fees: We never want finances to be a hindrance to healing and growth. It is for this reason that we will only discuss fees once a youth has been accepted in the program. Scholarships are available if a family cannot pay the whole amount.

Contact Us

If you would like to know more about The T.O.P. and how it may help your child, contact us @ (844) 54-FAMILY or e-mail @ kent@4families.org.

About Us

The mission of 4Families is to equip, empower, engage, and encourage youth and families who are facing challenges. We offer both group educational resources through the C.A.T.E.S. Academy as well as individual family consultation program such as our Family Blueprint.

Our programs are Therapeutic-Based and Christ-Driven. Though we know we can change a youth’s mind, it is our conviction that only Christ can change their heart. Changing one’s mind is temporal, but changing one’s heart is eternal.